Hi there! Jessi and Squeaks here. We just returned from an exciting research trip to Cahokia, and we missed you all while we were away! We learned a lot of cool things, but we’re thrilled to be back at The Fort to do more science.
On our way home, I started thinking about how many animals travel long distances every spring and fall. This journey is called migration, and animals do it to find food or have babies. But how do they know where to go? You don’t see birds flying around with maps!
It turns out, animals have some really neat tricks to find their way. Let’s explore how they do it!
One way animals know where to go is by using landmarks. Landmarks are special things you notice along your journey that help you recognize where you are. For example, when I go to the store, I know to turn right at the big, blue house on the corner. Animals use landmarks too, like bushes, logs, forests, or mountains. When they see a familiar mountain, they know they’re going the right way!
But what if there aren’t any good landmarks, like when animals fly over or swim in the ocean? Some animals, like certain seals and birds that are awake at night, use the stars for directions. They look for patterns in the stars, and when they find the right pattern, they know which way to go. Isn’t that cool?
Some animals, like certain birds and bees, have an extra special ability—they have an internal compass! You might have used a compass on a hiking trip. It has a needle that always points north, helping you know which direction you’re going. Birds and bees have a compass like this inside them. We’re still learning how it works, but these animals can tell which way is north all by themselves.
It’s amazing how animals find their way home using different methods. It really makes me think about how unique and interesting each kind of animal is! I hope you had fun learning about them with me, too!
It’s great to be back, and I’m excited about all we’ll learn this year. If you want to keep learning and having fun with Squeaks and me, you can hit the subscribe button. See you next time here at The Fort!
Landmark Scavenger Hunt: Go on a walk around your neighborhood or a nearby park with a grown-up. Look for special landmarks like a big tree, a colorful mailbox, or a unique building. Try to remember the order of these landmarks and see if you can find your way back home using them. Talk about how animals might use similar landmarks to find their way during migration.
Starry Night Adventure: On a clear night, go outside with a grown-up and look up at the stars. Try to find some constellations, like the Big Dipper or Orion. Imagine you’re an animal using the stars to find your way. Draw a picture of the night sky and the patterns you see. Discuss how animals might use these patterns to guide them on their journeys.
Make Your Own Compass: With the help of a grown-up, create a simple compass using a needle, a magnet, a cork, and a bowl of water. Rub the needle with the magnet to magnetize it, then carefully float it on the cork in the water. Watch how it points north! Talk about how some animals have an internal compass and how it helps them navigate.
